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Year 10 Interactive Maths - Second Edition


Rational Expressions

An expression which is written in the form of a fraction (or ratio) is called a rational expression.


Simplification of Rational Expressions

Let us consider those fractions whose denominators consist of only one term.


In general:

From this, we can state that:

Only factors can be cancelled.


This suggests that the cancellation of 3 is not allowed as 3 is not a factor of the numerator and denominator.


Example 1

Solution:


Applications of Factors

To simplify algebraic fractions:

  • factorise the numerator and denominator
  • cancel the factors that are common to the numerator and denominator


Example 2

Solution:


Key Terms

rational expression


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